Happen to be a racing fan? Are you in the market for
a new bowrider? Then look no further. Campion’s hot Chase 580 is
one-stop shopping.
Campion’s Chase series continues to target
performance boaters with an eye for design, speed and manoeuvrability.
Unlike many of its higher-profile competitors who associate big wallets
with mph, Chase models are generally more affordable.
The 580 is offered with several colour combinations,
but the F1 graphics package certainly makes a statement. Interestingly,
Campion offers Nascar colours like Taladaga Green and Daytona Blue.
Either way, you get the
point: these boats are meant to look racy.
At 18'9" with a 92" beam, the Chase 580 is a
cottage-friendly bowrider, powered effectively by Yamaha’s Vmax Series
175 HPDI outboard motor. For those who prefer a closed deck or I/O
power, other 580 models are available.
Campion uses hand-laid biaxial construction, foam
floatation, and their FIST fibreglass stringer system for lightweight
strength. All Chase models incorporate Campion’s APEX lift system hull
to offer more speed with less horsepower.
Incorporating a double concave pad with a slight
downward curve, water is channeled aft to hold lifting pressure.
Lifting strakes also help the cause and drag is reduced thanks to a
notch in the transom.
Throttling down, Yamaha’s Peak Response Induction
and Ram Air Flow goes to work instantly within the confines of its
beautiful (again racy) spoiler-design engine cowl. Shooting out of the
hole in 3.11 seconds, the 580 planes flat and holds at 18 mph/2,300 —
rpm so flat that when trimmed completely in, the hull feels heavy
moving across the water.
Running at high speed, the hull’s angle of attack seems low. Its attitude is
definitely flat but the hull feels free. The flatter a boat can run
with drag reduced, the better it handles. When cornering, the 580 lands
quickly when trimmed down two degrees, then carves a flat, clean turn
at 4,900 rpm, tracking where steered. Waves didn’t slow us down, and
the boat manoeuvred crisply throughout the test.
Sitting in the cockpit, one clearly associates the
580 with performance. Low-mounted twin bucket seats have headrests
affixed to stainless steel bars, appearing like a roll bar in a F1 car!
The checkered flag theme is carried out throughout the boat’s
upholstery, from bow to stern. Traction footrests, carbon-fibre
lookalike instrument panel/glove box lid, and a competition wheel with
Sea Star hydraulic steering all tie together nicely.
All seat pads and side panels are thickly padded,
and the bow fills in with cushions for sunbathing. The 580’s U-shaped
aft bench maximizes passenger room while offering good under-seat
storage space. With cargo nets on the buckets, a large in-floor ski
locker, bow storage, hideaway top storage and a in-dash cooler, the
Chase has room for everything.
Inside and out, the Chase 580 looks aggressive. By
wearing its proverbial racing heart on its sleeve, this performance
bowrider is podium-bound.